Bulb manipulating implement



April 14, 1953 E. FLOWER 2,634,998

BULB MANIPULATING IMPLEMENT Filed Dec. 8, 1949 O I 92% I lgm l E manue/ Flower A lfarney INVEN TOR ee t d 5 UNITE D STATES PATENT OFFICE H 2,e34,99s BULB lvmmrum'rnyd IMPLEMENT-H Emanuel Flower, Los Angeles Calif. I @P'i ber s, 1949, Seriallfio. 1313; I

The present invention relates to lamp bulb manipulating implements.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a bulb manipulating implement which is operative to engag with lamp bulbs of varying size and shape.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bulb manipulating implement having a suction gripper shaped to effectively grip a lamp bulb for installation and removal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bulb manipulating implement provided with means designed to obviate the danger of breaking the bulb in applying the implement.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a bulb manipulating implement having a gripping cup in the bottom of which is provided a cushioning pad.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a bulb manipulating implement which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and highly efficient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proresses.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred example of the invention:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the implement applied to a lamp bulb of medium size with part of the gripper head broken away Figure 2 is a section axially through the gripper head and showing the latter associated with a, lamp bulb of relatively large size, and

Figure 3 is an end elevational view looking into the open end of the ripper head.

Referring to the drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the views, 10 generally indicates the gripper head essentially in the form of a flaring cup advantageously formed of flexible resilient material, such as flexible rubber. 'This hollow gripping head embodies a circular base ll having an exterior relatively short flare l2 joining a frusto-conical portion 13. At substantially the mid-portion of the annular wall axially outward of the portion I3 the exterior of the cup is shaped to provide an outer section M of frustoconical configuration and of greater angularity than the adjacent portion I 3. Interiorly, the cup is provided with a circular recess in the base with the wall shaped to provide an outwardly widening conical configurationl6. Adjacent to the outer end the interior of the wall provides an annular lip IT having a convex curvature in cross section. Intermediate the base and 3Claims. (01. 294-) 2 the lip l! the cup is shaped to provide an annular circumferentially disposed ridge [8 of substantially semi-circular contour in cross section as shown in Figure 2. Integral with the base and projecting axially in a direction opposite the wall of the cup is a bulbous protuberance l9 provided with a slot 20. On the exterior of the cup is provided an integral projection 2| provided with an opening 22 affording an ear to which is attached a ring 23 for the connection of a pull cord 24.

Within the recess IS in the bottom of the cup is fitted a fiat circular pad 25 formed of yielding resilient cushioning material such as soft sponge rubber. This cushioning pad is advantageously secured in position by adhesive or the like.

A handle 26, advantageously in the form of a long, straight pole of wood or other rigid material, is attached to the cupped head l0 as by the insertion of a reduced end 21 into the slot 20 of protuberance is. To grip a lamp bulb, for instance a bulb mounted in a high overhead position, the implement is manipulated to force the cupped head over the end of the bulb. If the bulb is of relatively small size it is engaged by the ridge l8 so that expansion of the wall of the cup affords a firm grip implemented by vacuum action in the cup. The head can be forced tightly against the bulb without danger of breakage since contact of the bottom of the cup with the bulb will be efiectively cushioned by the pad 25. Where the bulb to be removed is of increased size the gripping action is effected by the convex inwardly protruding lip l1 adjacent the outer end of the cup, providing engagement which will enable convenient detachment of the bulb. As shown in Figure 2, the head is made so that as it is forced on the bulb air is compressed in the bottom thereof and some escapes between the lip and the bulb. When the handle is pulled in a direction away from the bulb the closed space in the head is expanded so as to create a condition of subatmospheric pressure to effect a tighter grip on the bulb.

To place bulbs in position in elevated sockets they are disposed in the cup in the manner indicated in the foregoing and when screwed into the socket are readily released by a pull on cord 24 which causes expansion of the head to break the vacuum and release the cup.

As each of the lip and ridge grippers is shaped to accommodate lamp bulbs of a number of sizes, the implement is applicable to a wide range of bulbs.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and, therefore, the invention is not limited to that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a lamp bulb manipulating implement a flaring cup shaped head of resilient material, an annular gripping lip in the head axially inward of its outer end, an annular inwardly protruding ridge in said head intermediate said lip and the base of the head, and a pad of relatively soft resilient material fixed within the base of the head.

2. In a lamp bulb manipulating implement a cup shaped head of resilient material, the bottom of said head having a recess therein, a fiat pad material softer than that of the head fixed in said recess, an annular lip within the outer liaring portion of the head, and an annular ridge formed circumferentially within the head intermediate said lip and said pad.

3. In a lamp bulb manipulating implement a cup shaped head of resilient material, the bottom of said head having a recess therein, a fiat pad material softer than that of the head fixed in said recess, an annular lip within the outer flaring portion of the head, an annular ridge formed circumferentially within the head intermediate said lip and said pad, a slotted protuberance integral with the base of the head, and a handle having a reduced end portion engaging said slotted protuberance.

EMANUEL FLOWER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Burke et al Jan. 3, 1922 Watkins Jan. 10, 1928 Pethick May 9, 1939 Limbert May 2'7, 1941 Number 

